With a wide range of pre-lOved vehicles in stock & the
ability to quickly and efficiently source your desired
model*, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been helping locals with their everchanging family vehicle requirements for over 100 years!

0118 933 2338
www.spratleys.co.uk

60/62 Victoria Road | Mortimer | Reading | RG7 3SG
2

*Some models are almost impossible to source... say, Deloreans, for example.

lip, plip, plop, little April showers... Well, we have had a few
showers, but unlike the song, we should be in for some sunshine
this month - if weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re to believe what the weather forecasters tell
us. Hurrah!

4

5

Spring
into
Perfect Pout
Skin

And what perfect timing. Our cover sponsor this month is Parkway
Shopping Newbury who bring us all the latest spring/summer fashions
fr
from
their retailers who include Monsoon, Joules and Mint Velvet. If
y havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t already visited over the the Easter break, take a look at
you
t
their
offerings on pages 10 and 11 and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get a real taste
t season ahead.
of the

7
Free
Round
of Golf
Anyone?

We have some great reader offers this month, too. How would you
like to enjoy a free round of golf? Well, thanks to DeVere Venues
Wokefield Park, you can! Following the big fire back in November,
the wedding venue, golf course and conference centre is back up
and running. To celebrate, they are offering a number of special
offers, including a free round of golf, which you can find on page 7.

that not all. Elizabeth Williams, local Pilates instructor and nutritionist,
But thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
is running a free Pilates session on Wednesday 13th April too. With weekly classes running in
Mortimer and Silchester, Elizabeth is offering this free taster session to show people just what they
can expect from a Pilates class. Find out more on p40.
This month, Eye Tech brings you the world of Virtual Reality, which is now extending beyond gaming
and into real life. Having seen all the new developments at Mobile World Congress this year, Eye
Geek is keen to tell all. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all there on page 9.
Of course, all of our regular columnists are back this month, with the exception of Mark Penston our
financial guru. This month, Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business partner, Rob Starling, joins the VE team and brings us
his thoughts on the State Pension and the opportunity - for some - of an extra ÂŁ25 per week. Rob
and Mark shall be alternating each month, continuing to bring us an overview of all things financial
that could be affecting you. Welcome aboard Rob!
The start of spring tends to bring with it a boom in the housing market as people come out of
hibernation and decide to make a change. The lucky folk of Tadley have now got a brand new team
over at Parkers. With tons of experience and a great bedside manner, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re delighted to introduce
them to you on page 20.
The pages this month are packed full of articles, community news and more, so grab five minutes to
yourself and enjoy.

*Swim23 is available for a minimum period of 12 months.
Payment cn be made monthly via Direct Debit. Pass may be
used at all other Legacy Centres for use of pool only (not classes)

Social
37
Mummy

eye

A huge thank you to all our contributors this month:

The Village Eye is brought to you by Pinktomato Ltd, a local, independent creative
design and marketing company. All content within the publication is copyright of
Village Eye. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for views or opinions
expressed by contributors or for the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers.
All dates, times, URLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and telephone numbers are understood to be correct at the
time of submission to print. *Not including stock images - advert release fee charged.

As always, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to extend a big thank you to our readers,
our advertisers and our contributors. Please mention Village
Eye when contacting our advertisers. Have a great April!

Reality Bytes 9

Registered Address:
Butlers Lands Farm
Mortimer, RG7 2AG

Hello@villageeye.co.uk
PINKTOMATO 0118 933 3311

To contribute, advertise or let us know your news - please call the team 0118 933 3311 or email info@villageeye.co.uk

Keep up to date &
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/villageeyemagazine

1

eye

The bank that likes to say... Err, we’re closing.

loyds
Bank
has
announced that they
intend to close its branch
in Theale on 8th June.

Lloyds Bank is the only
remaining bank in Theale
High Street and relied upon
by many for all their banking
needs. Lloyds are also

proposing to remove their
cash machines. This has
caused major upset to both
residents and businesses who
rely on the bank for cash
withdrawals, deposits and a
range of other services.
Alan Macro, Councillor
for Theale, has launched a
campaign and called upon
Lloyds Bank to rethink the
closure. A petition on the
issue has so far attracted
more than 200 signatures.
Closure would particularly
affect pensioners and those
without cars as the nearest
Lloyds branch (in Tilehurst)
is very difficult to reach by
public transport. Currently

BRIDGEWOOD
LANDSCAPE
SERVICES
LOGS

Seasoned Hard Wood - By
the Load or Bags, cut to your
requirement - also Kindling
Wood. FREE bag with first
order when you mention this
advert.

FENCING

All types - Close Board –
Post and Rail – Gates

SOFT LANDSCAPING

Turfing- Hedging – Garden
Maintenance – Borders

HARD LANDSCAPING
Driveways – Patios –
Pergolas – Decking

TREE SURGERY

Pruning - Felling - Crown
Reduction

After the great
success of their
lambing days,
Amners Farm
once again throws
open its gates to
the public to see
lambs being born,
alongside a variety
of farm animals
and their offspring.
It is very much a
“hands on” event
with lambs and
chicks to hold
and pigs to see.
Sheep shearing
demonstrations will
be held throughout
the day as well as
pony rides, steam
train rides and an
informative guided
tractor and trailer
ride around the
farm.

Refreshments are
available to enjoy,
whilst children can
have a fantastic
time in the Straw
Play Barn. It is
a great day out
for all the family.
(Pregnant women
are advised not to
attend the Lambing
Days. No Dogs
allowed.)
The World Wildlife
Fund and the
Guide Dogs for
the Blind will be
present to offer
hands on activities
for the children.
For more
information: www.
amnersfarm.co.uk

WASP NEST REMOVAL

Mark Vincent
tel - 0118 983 3725
mob - 0789 903 0317

www.bridgewoodlandscapes.co.uk

2

Lambing Days 2016
23rd & 24th April &
30th April,
1st & 2nd May

’

there are only a few buses
between Theale and Tilehurst
and it’s extremely likely that
West Berkshire Council will
soon withdraw their support
for these, making the
situation even worse.
If you would
like to lend your
support to the
campaign and
sign the petition
asking Lloyds
to reverse their
closure decision
and keep the
branch open, you
can find it at www.
theale.org.uk/
campaigns

Please Lis ten!

L

LLOYDS BANK Theale

LLOYDS BANK

On Commity

Come and see
the Lambs
being born at
Amners Farm!

WILLINK’S
Weathervane
Gerard Dent, grand nephew of
Henry George Willink, visited
The Willink School last month to
see the weathervane which he
rescued from where the family
lived in Burghfield Common.
Restored lovingly by the
Engineering Department of the
school, the weathervane is now
on one of the school buildings.
The Willink and Dent families
lived at Hillfields, Burghfield
Common (now the HQ of The
Guide Dogs for the Blind) for
many years and gave the land to
the council for the building of the
school over 60 years ago!

the

Beast
of SPENCERS WOOD

Our favourite fb picture of
‘The Beast’ as seen on
Spencer’s Wood Gossip Girls!
Have you ever seen the Beast of
Spencers Wood? No, we’re not
joking. There have been stories over
the years of a big cat (or something)
killing sheep in Stanbury Park, but
more recently, reports have been
growing on social media of sightings
of a black predatory creature, often
glimpsed, but never seen at close
quarters. What has been seen or
found, however, are the remains of its
dinner.
Some residents are joining in the
discussion with their tongue firmly in
their cheek, but others are speculating
that, more realistically, it is just a black
fox. With so much house building
going on in the area and dens being
destroyed, some residents have
suggested, after an attack on a pet

Memory
Cafe
to open in Tadley
Friday 15th April will
see the opening of
a Memory Café for
local Seniors and
their carers. It will be
held at the Methodist
Church, Main Road,
Tadley and will run
from 2pm – 3.30pm.
The Memory Café and
its staff are funded by
Basingstoke's 'Home
Instead Senior Care'
and will serve free tea, coffee and
cake in a cosy safe environment.
It is ideally suited for those with
memory loss, dementia or simply
needing company. There will
be reminiscing material and
activities for those wishing to take
part. All local seniors and their
carers – whether professional or
family – are welcome. All staff are

cat, that perhaps the foxes are more
aggressive than usual. Black foxes
have been seen playing in local fields.
But an eyewitness disagreed, arguing
that the beast was definitely bigger
than a fox, perhaps double or more.
The prime site for spotting The Beast
seems to be between the end of
Sussex Lane and The Mill House in
Swallowfield, so if you’re out that way
and spot anything suspicious, do let us
know! Be careful out there!

Just like the ‘Beast’ of Bod
min Moor?

we are

HIRING!

lovely person wanted
to join our happy

team

fully DBS checked and trained in
senior care. They will be able to
offer chat, support and advice if
needed or wanted.
If you want to know more
call Home Instead on 01256
840660 or email sally.regan@
homeinstead.co.uk After this
initial session, the café will be held
on the 3rd Friday of every month.

Do you have strong relationship skills? Are you a self-starting
telesales person? Do you think outside of the box? If the answer to
these questions is yes, then we’d love to hear from you.
Now in our fifth year, Village Eye has helped 100s of local and
national businesses to reach out to customers in this area. Now
with a distribution of over 11,000, spanning thirteen villages, we are
looking for a special person who would like to grow with us in 2016.
Mortimer-based
Immediate start. Flexible hours.
Generous pay on offer too!
If you would like to join our happy team,
please call us for a chat on:
0118 933 3311or send an email to
jackie@villageeye.co.uk

facebook.com/villageeyemagazine

eye
@villageeyemag

3

it’s all
about the
The Lip Oil

BASE
The Best
Exfoliator

Last summer
everyone
went crazy
for lip oils
and I didn’t
understand
why anyone
would want to
soak their lips
in oil?
But I am now a complete
convert after using Clarins’s
Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil
(£19) in raspberry because
it instantly gives my lips a
boost of hydration and is not
greasy in the slightest. Also,
the raspberry one gives off a
natural pink tint to the lips and
makes a great (and necessary)
addition to my summer make
up stash!

The Complete
Fixer

On Beauty

When my lips are at breaking
point, usually at the height
of summer or during winter,
then the product I always
crack out is Blistex’s Relief
Cream (£2.50). This beauty
of a lip product gets rid of
any blistering, cracking and
damage to the lips within a
day. It is my miracle worker
and for the tiny price this gem
does so much. Before this my
lips were cracked most days
but once I discovered this
(thanks mum!) my lips rarely
crack – hallelujah

4

Exfoliating my lips is a definite
must and there is no better
exfoliator than Lush’s Sugar
Scrubs (trust me, I’ve tried
them all). Yes they are a bit
pricey for what they are but
they last forever and they taste
amazing (seriously). I have the
bubblegum flavour and bought
it just under a year ago, it does
last ages! After using it, my
lips are transformed and matte
lipsticks go on like a dream!

“There’s nothing worse than
applying a matte lipstick and it
making your lips look rough and
dry (MAC’s Lady Danger I’m
looking at you). It is so important
to prep and prime your lips, not
only to make your lipstick last
longer but to prevent it making
your lips look like a prune. I have
sorted my stash and have found
my favourite lip primers that
make my lips stay healthy”
If there is anything you would
like to see me review or any
ideas for which beauty topics
I should cover next, then
feel free to contact me at
megan@villageeye.co.uk xx

Megan’s
Moments

The
Overnighter
This is my holy grail lip
product and has been
raved about by beauty
bloggers for years.
The Elizabeth Arden
Eight Hour Cream Skin
Protectant is my go
to product when my
lips are feeling rough
and dry. I wouldn’t
recommend using this
during the day as it
is quite thick but is
perfect at night and I
wake up the
next day with
moisturised
and pampered
lips. But
as well as
being fab at
protecting
my lips, it
also works
for dry skin
anywhere
on the body,
definitely
value for
money!

Grab your trainers and get
ready to take part in the
Wokefield 10k or 1 mile Fun
Run on Sunday 10th April at
Wokefield Park!
The event raises money for
the wonderful Burghfield &
Mortimer First Responders and
every penny raised will go to
fund their Responder car and
their voluntary scheme.

The 10km run starts on the
beautiful lawns of the old
Mansion House at 10am,
and takes in a multi terrain
course around Wokefield
before heading onto local
country lanes and footpaths.
This is a beautiful course and
rather challenging, so only for
runners aged 12 and over !
The 1 mile fun run/walk is
within the lovely grounds of
Wokefield Park, taking place
over the final mile of the
10km course. Ideal for Junior
runners and their supporters!
5 year olds and older can run/
walk on their own; under 5’s
are very welcome as long as
they’re accompanied by an
adult.
There’s lots of car parking
on site as well as ample
toilets, baggage storage and
refreshments for runners and
spectators

All runners will receive
a medal and be
entered for a raffle, to
be drawn after the run,
with some incredible
prizes offered by De
Vere Venues Wokefield
Park.

Mortimer Pick-ups available

And while you’re there,
why not book in for a
Powerfan 13m freefall
experience? Specially
at reduced rates for
the fun run, with all
proceeds going to the
First Responders.

Hockey

Did you know that for the past 15 years
a game of hockey has been played every
Thursday evening from 7 – 8pm on the
Willink astroturf (next to the Library)? We
welcome beginners, experienced players,
any age, boys and girls. Sticks provided.
Come and enjoy the game.
Call Lynn Bailey at
The Willink School
(0118 983 2030)

Most of us are familiar with
the story of Belle and The
Beast, including characters
like Mrs Potts and Chip,
Lumiere and Cogsworth.
And who can forget the
unforgettable song ‘Be Our
Guest?’
Local children in the cast
include Isla Duncan, Freya
Haines, Finlay Stuart, Luca
and Piper Monger, Lauren
Turner, Isobel May, James
and Emma Reynolds,
Louie and Ruby Purdom,
Courtney Bowers, most of
whom attend the weekly
classes that StageAbility

runs in Burghfield Common
after school on a Monday.
The shows are open to
all children aged 7 and
upwards who can choose
to audition ‘solo’ for a part,
or as a group to take part in
the ensemble.
Weekly rehearsals have
been taking place on
Sundays since February
and now the show is looking
fabulous, showcasing some
incredible local talent.
Why not go along with the
family and experience
the magic of Disney? Pop
the date in your diary and
visit www.stageability.
ticketsource.co.uk to
select and purchase your
tickets. Tickets are just
£10 for adults and £8 for
children/concessions with
performances taking place
at 4pm and 7pm. See you
there!

2016

Burghfield Scarecrow Trail

On Sunday 22nd May
StageAbility Stage School
will be staging Disney’s
Beauty & The Beast Jr. at
Luckley House School, near
Wokingham. Luckley boasts
a brand new theatre - The
Whitty Theatre - and the
cast cannot wait to get in
there to perform!

It’s time to call upon the
fair folk of Burghfield
to come forth and
make Scarecrows for
Burghfield’s annual
Scarecrow Trail, now
in its 5th year! It’s
great fun deciding on a
scarecrow and planning
how to make it, so why
not get involved?
This year’s theme is
‘Heroes & Villains’, so
let your imagination
loose and step forward!

To enter a Scarecrow all you have to do is go along to
the website www.scarecrowtrail.org and download the
application form. Or if you prefer, e-mail the team on
bcscarecrowtrail@btinternet.com who will help you
with your application. The entry fee is just £10.
Closing date for entries is 29th April so once you’ve
decided on the Scarecrow you are going to make, get
them entered! Then, of course, it’s all hands to the
pumps to get them made and ready for the first day
of the Scarecrow Trail. Rope in the kids and make it a
family affair. This year the trail will run from Saturday
28th May until Sat 4th June. Entry costs just ten
pounds and this year’s prizes are £100 first prize, £50
second prize and £25 third prize.
Trail sheets will be on sale at the Burghfield May Fayre
and you can also pick up your trail sheet from Wellers
Fruit Shop and Nisa/Post Office stores.

6

Free Golf
Yes, a free round of golf for every reader at Wokefield Park!

Many of you will
remember the
shocking fire at
De Vere Venues
Wokefield Park
back in November.
Impressively, it’s
business as usual
there now and the
team are keen to thank
members for their
patience during the
aftermath of the fire.

The leisure facilities as a whole,
which include a swimming pool,
relaxation area, sauna, changing
rooms and gym have also benefitted
from significant investment. The
team at Wokefield Park is keen
for you to make use and enjoy the
facilities so, for a limited time, they
are offering 1 MONTH FREE for all
new leisure users and 3 MONTHS
FREE golf membership to all new
members. With Golf membership
starting from just £325 and
unlimited leisure at just £24 per
month, there’s never been a better
time to join.

Thankfully every cloud has a
silver lining. De Vere has recently
completed a £300,000 investment
programme across it’s golf and
leisure facilities, making it even
more stunning than before.
Wokefield Park is now fully open for
business.

T&C’s
3 months free golf promotion is valid for new
members only joining on a 5 or 7 day category and will
be added to the end of a 12 month annual contract.
1 months free leisure applies to new members when
joining on a direct debit contract.

To take advantage of this reader
offer contact Membership Guest
Services on 0118 9334077 or email
janton@deverevenues.co.uk

The golf centre boasts an
impressive 18 hole PGA
Championship course and is now
benefitting from a £250,000
investment in brand new, state
of the art Toro green keeping
machinery. Of course, you’ll find
the Pro Shop on site and the newly
refurbished changing facilities.
To celebrate this exciting
redevelopment, Wokefield Park are
offering one free round of golf to
every reader during April! So if you
have wondered what the course is
like, now’s your chance to find out.
You can go along at any time during
April from Monday to Thursday. If
you plan to golf as a group, you will
need one voucher per person. To
make a booking, just call Danielle
Shaw on 01189 334077.
And when you’ve completed your
round of golf, how about relaxing
at the 19th Hole, the club bar, with
something refreshing to drink or a
bite to eat? You will be made very
welcome.

Wokefield Park | Goodboys Lane | Mortimer | Reading | Berkshire | RG7 3AE | Telephone: 0118 9334521
T&C’s: 3 months free golf promotion is valid for new members only joining on a 5 or 7 day category and will be added to the end
of a 12 month annual contract. 1 months free leisure applies to new members when joining on a direct debit contract.

(Doors open from 7.30pm)
Tickets £10 in advance / £14 on the door
Tickets also available from Ashleys Removals 983 1311

Complete packages from £999-£9.999*
Our 2015 busting £999 complete wedding package* ensures
you can still go ahead with your special day without cutting
back on the quality and style that we are renowned for.

For further details ask at reception for our
Wedding Co-ordinator or call:

0118 971 4411 www.holidayinn.com/readingwest

Bar and Food available

(email rosalieponsford@yahoo.com for any special dietary requirements)

Rediscover the spirit and sound of
and
as our tribute performances pay homage
to the musical heroes of a generation.

www.purplezeppelins.com

SEE
BELIEVE &
CHANGE
YOUR
WORLD

eyeTECH

by Eye Geek

for a few years now
et
cr
se
is
th
n
o
in
n
Gamers have bee
e invention of the
th
e
k
li
ch
u
m
,
at
th
- but did you know
n the cusp of a
o
e
b
st
ju
t
h
ig
m
s
ve
wheel, our ‘real’ li
them forever?
ge
an
ch
l
il
w
h
ic
h
w
lution
technological revo
For the last 18 years, my
day job has meant an
annual pilgrimage to
Mobile World Congress,
an opportunity globally
for all manufacturers
and service providers
in the mobile space
to flout their latest and
greatest widget, gadget
and gizmos to their
potential customers and
beat their competitors
to have the smallest/
largest/quietest/loudest
[you get my drift]
products on the market.
In fact, this tradeshow is
so vast, attendance this
year topped 100,000
visitors in a four day
period!

[perhaps a tad too
intrusive?] One things
for sure. I have seen
first hand that the
pace of technology
is gathering speed
and that one day, it is
inevitable that we’ll all
be connected in some
way.
It wasn’t a surprise
to me then that, in
what seemed a preplanned simultaneous
offensive by most of
those exhibiting at
MWC, was the loud and
clear message that the
World of Virtual reality
is beginning to merge
[with almost stealthlike ability] into our real
ones.

surroundings. The ability
to take a virtual walk
through a new home,
visit a restaurant before
you go in-person, or do
What VR can deliver are a walking tour through
the streets of Venice
experiences that are
allows people to “try
even more immersive
before they buy.”
and reveal aspects of
a company, service or
It’ll revolutionise the
product in ways that
Over the years, I have
way we educate our
have never before
seen everything from
children, go shopping or
been available. In an
With our increasing and age when consumers
the promise that “one
watch films for example.
innate desire to connect are also demanding
day, you’ll be able to
Whether you’re an avid
with others, VR offers
connect your mobile
cinephile or you haven’t
even greater
a chance to share a
phone to your laptop
transparency to go with been to the cinema
common presence in a their immersion, this can since John Travolta and
with a modem and a
way that is completely
cable to ‘send a fax‘
only be a good thing for Olivia Newton stepped
unparalleled. By
to wearable devices
out in Grease, one thing
everyone involved?
connecting your phone
which track your childs
is certain: Over the
every step, record every to a simple headset,
next few years, virtual
Virtual reality opens
the device you once
word they say whilst
reality will completely
up availability to
used to actually ‘speak’ information; it allows
wearing it and relay
reboot your relationship
to people suddenly
that information to you
to the moving image.
for a complete
over the cellular network becomes your gateway understanding of
That’s because VR is
to experiencing just
about everything and
anything - whenever
you want.

shockingly good at
making you feel as
though you’re in the
midst of the action.
Imagine cycling through
the air with E.T. or
catching some air with
Shaun White—rather
than observing from
afar. How cool is that.
With headsets currently
retailing for just a few £s
to £100s, the choices,
depending on whether
you’re on android or iOS
are already insane. I’ll
review a few for you in
a future issue... Now,
beam me up Scotty
(from the comfort of my
armchair of course).

SET THE TONE
Nothing beats a classic and the monochrome trend time
and time again proves it’s the most flattering and
wearable style on the high street. Whether you opt for
contrasting separates or subtle notes of black and white,
you’re sure to be raising your fashion credentials.

EARN Y
YOUR
STRIPES
S
The
he stripe
stripe has tak
taken over
the run
runway as every
designer’s
designer signature print.
Embrace classic British
Embr
Wills’
heritage with Jack W
dare to
subtle lines or dar
wear a sstatement skirt in
contrasting hues and
contr
tones.

AT HOME ON
THE PRAIRIE
Think billowing sleeves, lace injections, bows
and ruffles and you’re suddenly transported
back in time to old America. Team your
vintage trend dressed down with denim for
laid back off-duty fashion.

H&M
Blouse £39.99

DON’T TELL
A SOLE

BOYS IN BLUE
Blue is a c
colour that never goes out
of fashion. Whether it be
jewel-inspired
hues or contrasting
jew
w
colours
in collaboration, men’s
c
fashion
blue as its
ashion has embraced
embr
signature shade in any style.

Your style begins and ends with your
choice of shoe. Whether you dress
down with a sporty style or keep it
feminine with a court, the shoe makes
the outfit. Discover your sole sister in
store at Ecco with 20% off between
March 14th – April 14th with this
lookbook.

ANIMAL
Hugo Shorts £50

RIGHT: ECCO
Intrinsic Shoes From £115

FAT FACE
Check Shirt £35

AND THE
KITCHEN SINK

ALL ABOARD

Copper is the colour of the moment when it
comes to your kitchen. With everything from
jugs to kettles, the heart of your home will
always be keeping up with the Jones’ with this
style injection. Carry the trend throughout the
house with vintage inspired touches.

GIVE IT THE COLD
SHOULDER

Deck your little ones out in the seaside
inspired fashion. It’s all about stripes
and brights as the nautical trends takes
over the kidswear scene.

No matter what size or shape, the cold shoulder is
a trend we can all get on board with. Sport a
bodycon bardot for some throwback glamour or
take a 2016 twist on the tea dress for some
on-point Spring styling.

Make sure your little ones are hanging around in style with
designs from across our Kidswear stores. Give their fashion
fashion a little
fun with an animal friend or two throughout their w
wardrobe.

JOHN LEWIS
opper Kettle
K
Croft Copper
£40

LAKELAND
The Power
Pow of Juicing
This Spring!
Nutriblasts
Nutriblas from
£69.99
£6

H&M
Girls Straw Hat
With Ears £5.99

MONSOON
Children’s Walter Wild Zoo £16

ANIMAL
Rawesome Hoodie £32

ON THE FRINGE

SLEEPING BEAUTY

It’s not quite time to say farewell to our retro
threads just yet. This season we channel our
seventies boho chic with paisley prints and fringed
elements. Keep it suede for a truly authentic feel.

It’s true that sleep is the key ingredient
to healthy glowing skin but it never
hurts to give it a little help to discover
the best beautiful you. Discover the
products your skin loves in Neal’s Yard,
Liz Earle (John Lewis),
), Debenhams
and L’Occitaine.

H&M
Fringed Waistcoat
£19.99

RIGHT:
LIZ EARLE
Smoothing
Line Serum
£16.75

DEBENHAMS

ABOVE: L’OCCITANE
Relaxing Pillow Mist £14

ABOVE: NEAL’S YARD
Vitamin E & Avocado
Night Cream £21.50

11

eye
On Commity

SOCIAL MUMMY’S

Clickeratti

In a recent survey by adweek, 79% of
smartphone owning mums use social
media every day... but which kind of
social media mummy are you?

InstaYummyMummy
Online: So, not a day goes by when
you don’t post several shots to your
Instagram feed of your seemingly
perfect life? Whether you are showing
off your super sexy mama swagga, the
nutrient-packed homemade chickpea
& mushroom burgers you just whipped
up or your immaculately presented
cherubs rocking the latest kiddy-chic.

“Thank
goodness for
facebook!
Otherwise,
I’d have to
make 989
calls to my
friends to let
them know I
went running
today.”

12

Real Life: No one need know that in
‘real-life’, you’re actually super-stressed
and barely hold it together (shhh,
actually, we all are) Your perfect
life depiction is hard work... It takes

Bloggerator
Online: From reviewing the latest timesaving kitchen gadget or uber-cool
kidswear to sharing with the world,
every step of your day, minute by
minute. Whether it’s tales of back seat
‘bash-ups’ between your warring tots,
a blow by blow account of the ‘nappy
incident’ in Sainsbury’s or sharing the
joyous news that
Waitrose has your
fave New Zealand
Sauvignon on
offer - you’ll blog
about anything
- and people

hundreds of shots and several hours
to perfect your stylish selfies, arrange
the children into catalogue poses and
gallons of ‘licky-spit’ to ensure they
look pristine. And when other mums
have finally got their little ones to
go to sleep, and are busy watching
Corrie, glass of vino in hand, you’re
super busy scrolling through the 100s
of pics you shot that day deciding
how you’ll change things up tomorrow
and experimenting with borders and
filters. It’s not easy maintaining an
InstaYummyMummy
image you know!

seem to like it! Not only have you
amassed thousands of followers, you’ve
actually started to make a decent wad
of cash from it too - not to mention
the daily deliveries of freebies from
manufacturers and suppliers who are
all falling over themselves to get a
mention in your daily ramblings. Real
Life: You knew you didn’t really want to
go back to work full-time after helping
to repolulate the world, and being the
tech-savvy soul you’ve turned out to be
since going on maternity leave, your
new (& unexpected) accidental money
spinner is proving to be perfect for your
new life as a mummy. Who’d have
thought it.

Whatsapp
Woman
Online: Just like
your fb account,
your Whatsapp
profile pic and
status is updated regularly. You
have joined the other 990 million
users of this well-established
app. It is your primary ‘go-to’
social tool which you now use to
communicate in equal measure
with your children, friends,
colleagues and clients. Whether
you are sharing pictures of the
children with your own mother
(yes she’s on it too), telling all
of your children what time to be
home for dinner through a group
chat, or firming up a meeting
with a client, this app has
somehow managed to become
a part of your Real Life. In fact,
now you come to think of it - it’s
sometimes hard to see where the
online life ends and the Real Life
actually starts? And since your
mobile doesn’t seem to make or
receive calls in this area either
[without you standing on one leg
with a wire coat-hanger in-hand],
with the introduction of free wifi
Whatsapp calling, you can use it
to actually ‘speak’ to real people
too. Imagine that.

Does the
number of
hours you clock
up on Facebook
far exceeds
the number
of hours you
actually spend
talking to reallife human
beings?

Facebook Diaraiser
Online: Before children, you used to
‘tut’ at those mums who clogged up
your newsfeed with endless pics or
their little ‘Tallulah/Sebastian’ eating/
sleeping/drinking/sitting/ and daily
updates of ‘firsts’ announcements...
Until, of course (and you’re not quite
sure how it happened or indeed, when)
you became one of them! But when
your pride and joy is looking adorable,
wins a school prize or is rocking the
best costume in the school play, you just
can’t hold back (as much as you try)
and Oops “I posted again”. And why
wouldn’t all 989 of your friends want
to know that you ran around the block
pushing your new super-stroller a few
hundred meters today?

Real Life: You know that the number
of hours you clock up chatting on
facebook far exceeds the amount of
time you actually spend talking to reallife human beings, but that’s how the
world is now, right? You know that you
should be thrilled when your better half
gets home or your mum pops round,
and, as pleased as you are to see them,
and they are trying to chat and tell
you about their day, you are not really
listening to them - you’re too distracted,
not being able to
resist the urge to
check your feed
every few seconds
- just in case your
received another
‘like or comment on
your last post...

Twittering
Chicklet

Savyy Snapchatter
Online: Ok, so you’re ‘down with da kidz’, and, just like your teen, you too have
proved that you can document every waking moment with a snap. Yours (and your
children’s) days are spent with your index finger hovering over the shutter button,
sharing every
ev
miniute of the day with everyone you have on snapchat
(yes ok,
ok all bar about three of them are teens) - but you’re a supercool
mummy,
mumm right? Real Life: Honestly? You are not quite sure what
snapchat
is all about, but sometimes it seems like the only way you
snapc
communicat with your brood. You refuse to accept that you
can communicate
are growing
gr
older and this app deletes the ghastly selfies you’ve
taken
tak after a few seconds anyway. You think?

Online: You’re
sharp, quick witted
ed
and have always
got something to
add. A twitter
master who is expert in putting your
point over in under 140 characters.
You always know what’s trending
and have something to say about it.
Whether it’s tweeting the praises of
the latest in ‘green-cloth’ nappies,
or outing a fellow (with not a child
in sight) motorist for straddling the
last parent/toddler parking space
in the Waitrose car park, your
twittering’s are so popular that one
of them was once even ‘retweeted’
by a celeb mum. Real Life: Young,
chic and uber-cool, you think
you’ve found the perfect balance
of the online/offline worlds. You
are normally the fun mum who likes
nothing more than to be waist deep
in the ball pit with the kids. Get in x

ffacebook.com/villageeyemagazine
acebook.com/villa

@villageeyemag

15
13

eye

Business & Finance

GOVERNMENT OFFER
An Extra £25 a week
for some Pensioners!

with Rob Starling

It’s on the matter of the State Pension that I wanted to draw your
attention this month, specifically the offer of increasing your State
Pension by up to £25 a week (£1,300 a year). This is known as
paying Class 3A Voluntary National Insurance.
This limited offer is only available to males born before 6th April
1951 and females born before 6th April 1953, and is only open
until 5th April 2017.
How much does it cost?
The cost will differ based upon your current age, with the cost
being lower the older you are.
For example:
At age 65 the cost would be £22,250 for an extra £1,300 a
year. A 75 year-old would pay £16,850
Is it worth taking advantage of the offer?
The State Pension works in much the same way as an annuity,
i.e. the income is paid until death. Therefore, a 65 year-old
who purchased an identical annuity to that offered via the State
Pension top up based upon a payment of £22,500 would expect
to receive an annual pension of £701 (Source: Money Advice
Service 13/3/2016 based upon a healthy 65 year-old living in
the RG7 postal code). So on this basis the terms of the offer do
look generous.

3 Chalfont Court, Lower Earley, Reading, Berks, RG6 5SY
BlueSKY Independent Financial Advisers LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Your home is at risk if you do not keep up payments on your mortgage or other loans secured on it.

It may also be worthwhile considering how long it would take
to recoup your investment. The following table includes life
expectancy statistics provided by the Office of National Statistics.
In summary, this highlights that the earlier you take up the
offer the better chance you have of receiving value from your
investment.

Clear thinking, straight talking

Is it right for me?
Each case will be different and of course we recommend that
you seek the help of a good financial planner, but there are
some groups that are likely to be particularly attracted to the
offer, such as women who did not accrue much additional state
pension entitlement and the self-employed.
It’s worth mentioning that if you don’t currently enjoy a full state
pension because you didn’t pay National Insurance for the
required 30 years, then it’s likely that you would actually benefit
more by paying Class 3 National Insurance contributions in the
first instance.
Where can I find out more?
You can obtain further information via the government website
www.nidirect.gov.uk/state-pension-top-up .

www.onepc.co.uk
Sunfield Business Park
New Mill Rd, Finchampstead
Berkshire, RG40 4QT
One Pension Consultancy are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

emag

Automated selfdriving cars are
thought of as
something that will
happen in the distant
future. Some time, a
long time from now
we will hop in the car
with our breakfast,
click the button to
go to work and put
our feet up. However,
we are a lot closer
to this reality now
than most people
think.
So what is an autonomous car? A fully
autonomous car is one that is able to fully
navigate the road system without human
intervention. We already have fully automated
transport delivering people to Heathrow
Terminal 5 for example, however the set path
these pods run in is a long way from a fully
functioning road!
Cars have had autonomous features for
years, take cruise control, satellite navigation,
automatic gearboxes, and automatic lights and
wipers. Many cars are aware of the environment
around them and can tell you if you’re leaving
your lane or if a car is pulling up in your blind
spot. In recent years cruise control has taken a
step further to be radar guided allowing your
car to keep a set distance to the car in front even
if they speed up or slow down. Some vehicles
are taking this one step further, allowing you to

Jack worboys

Drives...

take your hands off the wheel on the motorway
where the car’s computer systems will keep the
vehicle in its lane and even change lanes for
you. Cars are also able to sense obstacles in the
way and perform an emergency stop at the last
second in case you didn’t spot the hazard.

The UK government is fully behind developing
these technologies so there’s no doubt they’re
here to stay. This is a big step towards full
autonomous travel, so keep an eye out in the
next 5 years for more projects around the UK,
bringing us closer to production autonomous
cars. So it’s time to start planning what you’ll be
doing in all this free time behind the wheel!

Google have
been working on
autonomous cars
since 2009 and
are now at the
point of a

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x
no fi e
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fully autonomous prototype, without a steering
wheel! Having already built autonomous
systems into ready-made cars that have been
driving round the streets in America, they are
now putting this technology in a new prototype
vehicle designed from the ground up to be
autonomous.

Fully autonomous cars are still a few years
off production, but we can already see them
being tested on the streets and pavements
of cities around the world. There are small
electric vehicles being tested in Milton Keynes
town centre, driving around at a brisk walking
pace in the many pedestrianised zones found
there. Audi have developed a system within a
special Audi RS7 which allows the vehicle to
autonomously drive at the limit round a circuit,
something that takes a lot more skill and thinking
power than you might at first think. These two
compare sensor
values of the
world around
them to known
geography stored
in their memory
in order to gauge
their place in the
world.

With over 50 years’ professional and business experience and a
friendly, approachable manner, we are certain we can help you.
Ample parking close to Junction 11

0118 933 8900

enquiry@campbellparker.com

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On ns
Personal Injury Law â&#x20AC;&#x201C; How could
government plans to increase the
small claim limit affect you?
By Ian Beavon
In his autumn statement George Osborne shocked the legal
profession by setting out his intentions to defeat the so-called
compensation culture by increasing the small claims limit from
ÂŁ1,000 to ÂŁ5,000 and to stop claimants from making personal
injury claims for minor â&#x20AC;&#x153;whiplashâ&#x20AC;? injuries.
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and Forum of
Insurance Lawyers are lobbying against proposals to increase
the small claims limit as the proposed changes are a concern.
Why? If the small claims limit is increased to ÂŁ5,000, and
a claim is likely to be worth less than ÂŁ5,000, a genuine
claimant could find him/herself having difficulties getting legal
representation in the event of a road traffic accident. Claimants
will only be entitled to claim very derisory legal costs so injured
parties will probably have to negotiate with insurers direct.
An increase in the
small claims limit
will do little to assist
genuine Claimants.
If legal advice is
denied, Claimants
will be â&#x20AC;&#x153;on their
ownâ&#x20AC;?. They will not
know what they can
and cannot claim
for and will not
know whether any
settlement proposals
are fair.
Three years ago a lady approached me for a second opinion
on an offer which she was about to accept. Her lawyers,
instructed by her own motor insurers, were guiding her to
accept ÂŁ3,000 in settlement of her claim. She had genuine
ongoing medical problems and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know whether to accept
the offer or not. I sent her to an orthopedic surgeon - who
spent more than an hour with her â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and the subsequent
report confirmed she needed further treatment. My client had
sustained a whiplash and shoulder injury. She works as an
equine dental expert â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a manual role, looking after horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
teeth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so it was crucial she received proper treatment because
if she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, and her condition deteriorated, her career could
potentially have been jeopardised. A year or so later, the
claim settled at ÂŁ32,000, making allowance for the cost of
private future treatment. Had the â&#x20AC;&#x153;whiplash reformsâ&#x20AC;? been in
place then, my client might never have sought further legal
advice and the ramifications to her could have been so much
more serious, both physically and financially.
I find it most disconcerting that on the one hand government
officials are encouraging customers to claim compensation for
train delays, yet in the event of a debilitating injury, genuine
claimants are to be denied access to justice.

eye
the
interview

GAFFES

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A candidate
complained that she
was hot. She then
said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Excuse meâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and
removed her socks.
After placing them on
the desk, she continued
as if everything was
normal.â&#x20AC;?

We often see
articles telling
us about tips and
tricks for job
interviews. Some
seem obvious, but
not to everyone, it
seems. Here are
some unbelievable
quotes from
anonymous HR
professionals,
shedding light on
what they have
seen from the other
side of the table...
was it you?

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Be Too
Familiar!

Wear appropriate
clothes!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Someone applying for
a job hugged me at the
end of the interview.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;During a one-way
video interview, an
applicant wore a Star
Wars Jedi robe. The
worst part was that
the candidate made
no reference to the
costume at all. We were
all baffled!â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The candidate arrived
in a catsuit.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;A guy who forgot
dark socks to wear with
his suit colored in his
ankles with a black felttip marker.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was interviewing
someone who took
a mobile phone call
and asked me to leave
my office while they
talked.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had someone eat all
the sweets in the sweet
bowl while trying to
answer questions.â&#x20AC;?

Stay off the Booze?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I swear this is true:
Someone threw his beer
can in the outside bin
before coming into the
reception area.â&#x20AC;?

Allow Enough Time
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once an applicantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
friend came in and
asked, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;How much
longer?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

Turn Up

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gross out the
interviewer!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The candidate sent his
sister to interview in his
place.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Someone once blew
her nose and lined up
the used tissues on the
table in front of her.â&#x20AC;?

So as Spring comes
around the corner
and we start to think
about new jobs and
opportunities, it might
be a good idea to swot
up on some interview
dos and dontâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I once had a person
clip her fingernails while
we were speaking.â&#x20AC;?

The governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposals are a very
real threat. Sadly there will always be
fraudsters trying to exploit the system. But,
no matter how many times the government
tells us otherwise, whiplash is real and
genuine claimants should not be denied the
opportunity to make
legitimate claims.
Mulfords Hill | Tadley | RG26 3XJ | T: 0118 981 2992

17

“Lafford & Leavey, experts in
bringing the outside - inside”

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Conservatories
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offering free quotations
and advice from a company
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spanning 50 years. Choose
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suit your budget and needs,
we’re only a phone call away.

GROWING YOUR OWN FRUITT AN
AND VE
VEG!
G!
Many of us will remember The Good
Life, the 1970s sitcom relating the joys
and miseries Tom Good and his wife
Barbara experience when they attempt
to escape modern commercial living by
“becoming totally self-sufficient” in their
home in Surbiton. We’ve all got a bit
of Tom and Barbara in us and ‘Growing
your Own’ is enjoying a new found
popularity of late.
If you’ve given growing your own
vegetables some thought but don’t
really know where to start, perhaps this
will help you on your way...
Firstly, look at how much space you
have. If you don’t have garden beds
you can grow vegetables in window
boxes, pots or grow bags. Starting
plants off indoors is a good idea so that
you can control conditions (slugs) when
they are at their most vulnerable. Start
them in small pots and once a plant
has four or five leaves it can be planted
outside. The seed packets will tell you
the best positioning and the amount of
sunlight needed.
The following plants give a great return
even on a small scale:

Lettuce is a brilliant vegetable to begin
with if you have never grown anything
before. It can be grown in a window
box giving you a salad larder on your
windowsill during summer months.
Tomatoes are delicious and popular
but require a bit more TLC. They need
vertical space and as they grow taller,
they need to be supported. At this
time of year you can buy potted young
plants to be replanted outside in a
sunny, sheltered position after the last
spring frosts.
Courgettes need a bit more
space and like full sun, well
composted fertile ground and
regular watering in dry weather.
The courgettes emerge practically
overnight and the flowers are also
a delicacy, torn into salads, stuffed
with goat’s cheese or fried in tempura
batter.
There really is nothing like the taste of
home grown fruit and vegetables, any
gardener will tell you that, so why not
have a go this spring and see what you
can grow!

a garden, or your
If you don’t have
all, then perhaps
sm
existing once is too be the answer. Be
t
an allotment migh
s on one can
getting your hand
...
gh
ou
th
d
are
t in the first
prep
bu
g,
lon
are
ng lists
take time as waiti contact your local authority.
ld
for the West
instance you shou
otment waitlists
Details of the all
be found here:
n
ca
ion
reg
ire
sh
Berkshire & Hamp
allotment

plywww.gov.uk/ap

facebook.com/villageeyemagazine

@villageeyemag

19

eye
On m

s

& Gard

Hello Tadley!

W

hen so
many estate
agents
are out
of sight in the online
world it’s an exciting
prospect that there
are still experienced
agents out there
looking to invest time
to expand in to the
traditional way of
selling properties, face
to face on the high
street.

You may have heard
the name Dale
Kempson mentioned
before - being Director
of Parkers Burghfield
for 15 years and
known for his ‘15 Day
Challenge’ in which
he will undertake the
Land’s End to John
O’Groats 1000-mile
charity bike ride, Dale
and his two business
partners Bruce Taylor

and Simon Gregory
have now moved in to
Parkers Tadley!
While all three Partners
are keen to support
local schools, causes
and get settled in
to the community
[indeed, they’ll be
playing a part in
helping put on this
years’ Tadley Tea Party
next month], the start
of one chapter for
them is in no doubt
the end of an era for
Adrian Noad. Having
been at the helm of
the office for 25 years
and being part of the
community having
raised his family in the
Hampshire village and
serving on the Parish
Council, his input in to
this transition has been
key for everyone.
Dale who has been in

agency for 37 years
has brought up his
daughters locally in
Spencers Wood with
his Wife. He believes
in the ‘old fashioned’
approach to make
connections with

clients, inviting them
in the office to talk
or on the phone, but
essentially always
being available to
advise and assist.

Any Spon
Updated Picture Any
ents e
events
ev
local
or
ootball
Football
F

Date: Sat 28th May
Event tickets at:
www.tadleyteapar ty.com

If you are thinking of buying, selling or letting please call Burghfield Common 0118 983 3897, Theale 0118
8 930 3133 or
20

Marion

Although Martin
and Co oversee
the Parkers
franchise, Dale
recognises the
support that they
offer saying “we

want our clients
to feel a personal
level of service, but
with the security
and wide spread
advertising they
gain from being
part of a large
network”. Dale’s
business partner of
4 years – Simon,
is keen to bring
with him the
approachable and
friendly customer
service that you
experience in their

nsorship pictures?
etc perhaps?

Parkers are excited to be part of the

Sharon Alison

Theale, Tilehurst and
Burghfield offices.
Concentrating
equally on
matching buyers
and tenants to their
dream property
as finding the right
person for the
vendor or landlord.
Simon who has an
excellent grasp on
modern technology
refers back to the
5 star reviews that
they have received
on Google saying
“We are going to
continue our work
ethic and traditional
approach that
motivates us and
bring it with us to
the residence of
Tadley”.
Never one to let
the grass grow
beneath his feet,
Bruce is excited for
this opportunity.
Director of three
other local offices
he understands
that this will give
Vendors and
Landlords access
to reach a wider

Dale

Dan

audience through
the database while
benefiting from their
80 years’ combined
experience in the
industry.
So what is going
to change? For
many businesses,
new management
means new
changes, making
a company
unrecognisable
from what first
attracted them to it.
For Dale, Simon and
Bruce it’s an exciting
time focusing
on improvement
as opposed to
change, giving
each person they
have contact with
a personal and
bespoke service,
Bruce added, “we
have a lot to prove
following in Adrian’s
footsteps” but want
to move away
from the trend of
doing everything
online and by email
and improve the
reputation within the
profession.

Do you ever
wonder what
your house is
worth these
days?
According to the
Land Registry,
some house prices
in this area are
up by as much as
500% since 1995!
If you are curious to
know what yours is
worth (even if you
are not thinking of
moving just yet),
then give us a call
to arrange a free
valuation in April
and we’ll
give you
a bottle
of wine to
celebrate!

In need of refurbishment, this part thatched detached home dates back to
the late 17th century and is set within a non-estate position. Having been
extended in 1984, accommodation comprises of lounge, separate dining
room, kitchen, ground floor bathroom, 4 bedrooms and first floor shower
room. Conveniently located within short walking distance of Tadley town
centre with its wide range of shopping facilities and amenities, this individual
residence further benefits from a generous sized plot and detached double
garage.

Property of the Month
Kirkwood Crescent
Burghfield Common
Burghfield Common office

G

A rare opportunity to acquire this extended 4-bedroom detached bungalow
tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac within easy access to amenities and
schools. The property has been updated and improved to include Upvc
double glazing/facias, Victorian style Conservatory, replacement gas
combination boiler and re-fitted Kitchen/Bathroom. Externally there is a
wide low maintainance garden, garage, workshop and large driveway.

£500,000
£415,000

£675,000

Burghfield Common office

Theale office

• 4 bedroom detached bungalow

• Overlooking open farmland

• Around 1/3 of an acre plot

• Sympathetically improved

• Pleasant countryside views

• 125ft Rear South facing Garden

• Village location

• Luxury wood cabin

• No onward chain

Silchester

Bradfield

£300,000

Guide Price

Theale office

• Much improved throughout

• 3 bedroom semi detached cottage

• Upvc double glazing

• Beautiful countryside views

• Luxury Kitchen with built in oven

• No onward chain

• Wood burner, 17’6 family room

• Village location

• Modern 4-piece Bathroom
• Walking distance of the village
and local schools

• 29ft lounge/dining room

£490,000

Burghfield Common office

• Completely refitted kitchen

Bradfield

£637,000

• 2 reception rooms

£325,000

Theale office

Chapel RowVillage
Burghfield
Burghfield
Common
Burghfield

Guide Price

• Charming & deceptively spacious

• Driveway & additional parking area

Burghfield Common

Four Bedroom Detached Bungalow

Guide Price

Theale office

• 4 Double Bedroom detached

• 2 bedroom character cottage

• South facing garden

• No onward chain

• 23ft Dual aspect lounge

• Driveway parking

• 35ft garage & additional workshop

• Wood burner

• Desirable village location

• Village location

• Master bedroom with ensuite
and dressing room

Beenham

• Garage with office potential

We’re here for your every move...
23

Keep it local ! Trades & Services Pages. Don’t forget to mention Village Eye when calling!

Whether you're looking for a newly plastered ceiling or external rendering,
we provide a wide range of plastering services. With more than 10 years
of experience in plastering, you can expect the highest standards and an
excellent finish every time.

Want to rid
your home
of your
old Artex
ceilings?

Experienced team of specialist plasterers
Will take on any plastering job, domestic & commercial

Before

Plastering
Services

Friendly and professional service
To request a free quote, or to discuss your requirements,
contact us today. We'll be happy to help.

Over 50 years experience.
A family run business.
We us wood from renewable sustainable
Over 50 years experience.
managed forest.
Over 70% of our sales come
We do not use chipboard or plywood.
Mention this advert
Bolted assembly.
from recommendation
and receive a free wood
Bespoke design available.A family run business
treatment with every
Helpful and friendly staff.
shedrenewable
purchased!
We
us
wood
from
Value for money.

Please contact SERVICE RECEPTION on

0118
970 2222
www.mendemmotors.co.uk
facebook.com/villageeyemagazine

@villageeyemag

Short & long term
secure storage for
home or business
Open 7 days a week 8am – 8pm
Easy access, all on one level
Security alarms, CCTV cameras
and 24 hr surveillance
t: 0118 982 0788
m: 0776 025 5063
e: tadley@barn-store.co.uk

www.barn-store.co.uk
Wetrooms, Easy-Access Showers and Bathrooms
Serving our customers
for over 25 years your
local company for wet
rooms and bathroom
conversions.
Trading Standards
accredited, please call
the Bran Partnership for
a no obligation quote.

0118 983 1212 or 07836 648503

SAVINGS!
You may be eligible for
Costco Membership...
Costco is a membership warehouse club that sells a wide selection of top quality brand
name merchandise at low warehouse prices.

Trade Membership*

You qualify for Trade Membership if you are a bona fide business owner or manager, or
are self employed. To join Costco and start saving please provide evidence of trading
in the form of either a VAT Registration Certificate or two other pieces of business
stationery (cheque, letterhead, invoice), PLUS a current business utility bill (electricity,
gas, telephone, water). The annual membership fee for Standard Trade Membership
is £20 (plus VAT).

Phil Adshead runs Supagrass in the
Hampshire and West Berks area.
He has helped over 1000 customers
improve their lawns, and has looked
after the greens at two of the top 10
golf courses in the world including
Augusta National.
For a FREE lawn assessment and
quote with Phil call 01256 461388
or email rbf@supagrass.co.uk

The Hatch Gate Inn is a XV1th
century inn with lots of character,
oak beams and a large inglenook
fireplace. Serving a selction
of mouthwatering traditional
english food, it is a pub that
welcomes everybody, with a large
garden, ample parking and a play
area for younger children.

We are looking for a full-time bookkeeper / accounts assistant. Must be organised,
self motivated, personable and be able to work as part of a small team.
Must have excellent working knowledge of Sage and great IT skills.
Candidates need to have a ‘can-do’ attitude and
adhere to deadlines.
We are based in Stratfield Saye,
just outside Mortimer.
Please email your cv to hello@
melaniecurtisaccountants.co.uk.

We are a small friendly company offering high standard
domestic and commercial cleaning services, ironing and curtain
fitting services, using professional equipment and products.
We are also offering carpet cleaning service, and cleaning of
furniture, windows and ovens.

If we think back to our own
childhoods,
some
of
our
fondest memories are of playing
outdoors but in recent years
there has been a cultural shift in
society that has led to a reduction
in access to the outdoors for
many young children. We are
fortunate to have access to
53 acres of open countryside,
private woodland and even our
very own working farm for the
children to enjoy. Our ethos at
Jubilee is ‘learning by doing’ –
both inside and out, every day.
We believe it is essential that
children explore, learn and play
- safely and freely.
Free and unstructured play
is incredibly important for
problem-solving, self-discipline
and focus. Being in nature (not
just learning about it) can have
dramatic effects on mental wellbeing and self-esteem. Fresh air
and fun really does make one
feel healthier and happier!

Children in our care gain an
understanding and respect for
nature through our outdoor
learning programme which
links directly to the Early
Years Foundation Stage. Our
philosophy enables a sense of
well-being, develops creativity,
hones fine and gross motor
development
and
ensures
children remain active and
healthy. It’s all adds to what
characterizes ’Jubilee children’
as
confident,
independent
young learners.
To receive a prospectus or to
come and visit us, please get in
touch. Located in Padworth, we
are just a 7 minute drive from
the centre of Mortimer, offering
exceptional care for babies from
3 months to children up to 5
years of age through a range
of packages including full-time,
term-time and flexible sessions.

facebook.com/villageeyemagazine

@villageeyemag

DON’T TELL
Your s
choic
down with a sporty s
feminine with a c
the outfit. Disc
store a
Mar

Pregnant women are advised not
to attend the Lambing Days.
No dogs allowed.

31

eye
On Educaо

Theale Green School

can...

…and does have a “shared vision
to provide the best education
possible for all students
regardless of background or
ability”. We are proud of our
collective achievements and
continue to strive for more. The
“inspirational and determined
leadership” has secured rapid
improvement. In 2015, 69% of
our Year 11 students achieved 5
A*-C grades which far exceeds
the national average. Additionally, 74% of grades at A-level were
A*-C grades which is significantly
better than the national average
and placed us in the top 35% of
schools in the country. We don’t
just concentrate on the Core
curriculum as witnessed by our
outstanding GCSE and A-levels
results for Languages, PE, Art,
Drama, Photography and Dance.
This rise in standards has come
about because “middle
leadership has been
strengthened and is now
effective”. Our staff body has
high expectations which ensures
that “students…engage very
well and enjoy their learning”;
furthermore “their passion and
care is evident. Thank you for all
you are doing. It’s working”.
“Students feel safe at school
and this is a view endorsed by
parents and staff”. Our students
are “polite and courteous, wear
their uniforms with pride and
show respect for their school”.
Our “very broad” curriculum,
our outstanding range of extracurricular activities and our
“very strong” pastoral care,
ensure that our students feel
safe, happy and fulfilled. This
is turn enables them to make

a positive contribution to our
community and the world
around them. Furthermore,
when combined with our strong
careers and education advice
and guidance it ensures that
they are “well prepared” for
future life and will have the right
attitude, approach and skillset to
achieve lifelong success.
“Bullying is now rare…when it
does happen, it is dealt with
quickly and effectively by staff.”
We strive for excellence in all
we do. Our primary focus is,
of course, academic but we do
not stop there. We seek to push
back the boundaries be it with
our, annual ‘Meet the
Professionals” evening, our
recent drama production of
Oklahoma, our dancers
performing at Ballet Rambert,
our debating team which
secured second place in the
National Rotary Youth Speaks
Contest, our second to none
sporting successes – including
our Youth Sports Gold Award - or
our work with former students –
most notably Diane Setterfield a
published author who is working
alongside the English
department and Douglas Gurr,
Head of Amazon China, who has
inspired our Sixth Formers.
Our students also benefit from a
range of partnerships including
that with our sponsor Bradfield
College which has enriched life
in and out of the classroom. We
have, this year alone, had an
English lecture from an Oxford
Don, had the opportunity to

attend a number of Café
Scientific talks given by
eminent researchers, taken part
in numerous Music workshops
and benefited from the excellent
science facilities. We share best
practice at every opportunity
and have developed strong links
with many Bradfield
departments. We are also
developing strong links with
Eton College and our More Able
students recently enjoyed a
stretch and challenge day with
the likes of Lord Waldergrave. In
the coming months we will work
closely with Eton on a History
project, outreach activities for
our primary feeder schools and
self-esteem workshops to ensure
that students have the confidence to aim high. The most
important partnership, however,
is the one we have with you.
We will work closely with you to
ensure your child is

supported, challenged, stretched
and fulfilled – we will seek
your input about how we can
further improve and will invite
you to attend a range of events
including regular opportunities
to meet our staff so that you are
fully informed about your child’s
progress and know what he/she
needs to do to further improve.
We continue to make rapid
improvement because we are
determined to provide the very
best opportunities for every
student in our care. We are an
inclusive, supportive yet
challenging school that will seek
to open every door possible for
your child. Why not come along
to see the opportunities for
yourself…
…together, we can.

Theale Green School
EXCELLENCE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

Quotes are taken from our recent Ofsted report (June 2015) and
parental, student and staff voice.

A UK and international boarding and day school
for students aged 13-19
“The high quality of teaching is consistently characterised
by a thorough understanding of individual pupils’ needs
and a true desire for all pupils to achieve their
full potential.” ISI Report October 2015

Day student places available for entry in September 2016
• Scholarships and bursaries available
• Small classes which focus on each student
• Excellent academic results
• Make amazing international friends
• Situated between Newbury and Reading
• Free transport from Aldermaston Station

www.padworth.com
Come and visit us to see the school for yourself
Just call us on 0118 983 2644
Padworth College, Padworth, Reading, Berkshire RG7 4NR

5wk course….£45

10wk courses….£45

GUITAR LESSONS
Wednesday 20th April 2016
7-8pm

Improve on your

Do something NEW……
EW……

COMPUTER SKILLS
Wednesday 20th April & 8th June

Start: Tuesday 19th April &
Tuesday 7th June

Wednesday 20th April 2016

SUGARCRAFT

Summer 2016
16

7pm - 9pm
5wk course….£45

5wks….£45

SEWING WITH CONFIDENCE
Various levels starting weeks commencing

18th April & 6th June
7pm - 9pm

For more information or to enrol on
any of our courses please contact us

7 Day Tour
Departure: 20th August 2016
Price includes:
Day 1: An early start and we will be on our way crossing on the Eurotunnel - local pick included. We
will travel to Ghent where we will stay at the beautiful 4 star Sandton Grand Hotel Reylof right in the
historic centre, close to the restaurants and bars. This is a quirky hotel with high standards of service,
a fantastic restaurant, a champagne bar and luxury lounge area. Breakfast is included.
Day 2: In the morning travel from Ghent to Leipzig arriving mid afternoon.
We will stay for 4 nights at the 4 star Leipzig Marriott right in the centre of Leipzig with the
main shopping streets nearby. This is a modern 4 star hotel with well appointed bedrooms and a
comfortable restaurant and bar. There is also a leisure area with swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool
and fitness centre. Breakfast is included.
Day 3: Breakfast is included. Free day to explore Leipzig at your leisure.
Day 4: Breakfast is included. Leave early morning for our visit to Colditz Castle. A guided tour and
entrance ticket is included. Return to Leipzig for the evening at leisure.
Day 5: Breakfast is included. Leave early morning for our visit to Dresden. Travel included.
Free time to explore Dresden then return to Leipzig for an evening at leisure.
Day 6: Breakfast is included. Today we will travel back to Ghent and stay at Sandton
Grand Hotel Reylof for our last night.
Day 7: Breakfast is included. We will travel to the Eurotunnel for our crossing and our return journey
home. Local drop off included.

Please call for more information or to book on:
Mortimer 0118 933 1177
or visit WWW.TRIANGLETRAVEL.CO.UK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
34

Sometimes this could be quite an
exciting job unless, of course, you
were doing it in the very British
rain - quite a common occurrence.
Best described as ‘character
building’ and enjoyed by a select
few outdoorsy families, the
accommodation largely consisted
of damp and windswept tents,
lumpy air beds and soggy sleeping
bags. But of course, camping
families took this in their stride
as it was all part of the experience
and the enjoyment of the great
outdoors. Getting ‘back to basics’
was all part of the appeal.

eye

Loved by eco-sensitive
middle class professionals,
glamping has become the
shaft of light for the troubled
British tourist industry.
There has been a growing
demand from campers who
want a taste of the outdoors
combined with a few home
comforts (phone chargers).
On top of that, inexperienced
campers who have never
even pitched a tent or lit a
campfire before are wanting
to discover the joy of sleeping
under the stars without the
mud and sagging tents.

on Leisure

Oh, how times have
changed. Many of
us will remember
camping holidays of
the past. The holiday
would start with a
lengthy drive with
the kids squeezed
in among the tents,
sleeping bags,
camping stove, cool
box, first aid kit and
suitcases. Arguments
between husband and
wife would ensue over
the directions to the
campsite and then,
when the destination
was finally reached,
the family would put
up the tent together.

In response, the number
of camp sites offering
luxury camping holidays
in yurts and tipis has
grown significantly. While
a few sites offer this
accommodation alongside
traditional camping,
many are small scale and
devoted only to this form
of “glamping”. Some have
wooden floors, wood burning
stoves and cotton mattresses.
It’s a warmer, drier camping
experience.
Swapping the ‘character
building’ camping for the
comfort of a heated pod, yurt,
dome or Romany caravan
is the new way to enjoy the
best of the outdoors while
preserving a little luxury.

These days, however, camping
can be stylish, comfortable and
you don’t even have to pitch
your own tent if you don’t want
to. There’s always a company out
there that will do it for you. All
you need to know is who to ask
and sit back while they do the
rest for you.

Of course, it doesn’t have
to be a tent that you stay in.
Why not hire a camper van
or a horse box? Yes, that’s
right, a horse box. ‘Ges’ is a
beautifully converted 1975
Horse lorry.

Luxury camping is known as
‘glamping’ - a term I’m sure you
will have heard before. But why
has it become so popular?

She is cosy & cute and offers
a wonderfully romantic
place to stay.
Visit www.mycoolholiday.
co.uk for more details!

Experience glamping for yourself this
summer at our very own Marvellous
Festival. This year, the Festival is moving
to Dinton Pastures in Hurst and offering
weekend glamping with Magnifitents!

And there’s always someone out there
who has to take it too far, isn’t there? With
the likes of Justin Bieber and Amy Childs
reportedly going glamping - not together
I hasten to add! - is it any wonder that
celebrity-priced glamping has sprung up?

You can book for a party of two (£100
each for the whole weekend) right up to
a party of ten (£50 each for the weekend).
Tickets are now on sale so visit
www.marvellousfestivals.com
and book yours now!

Why not visit the Clayoquot Wilderness
Resort in the US — only accessible by boat
- for a minimum one-night stay costing
US$3,681! Whatever type of camping you
decide to try this summer, let us know how
you get on!

eye
Summer
Festivals!
e, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to
So, spring is officially hersun you can have at
the
in
fun
think about the
ls we are lucky to
some of the great festiva
have on our doorstep.

SATURDAY 28TH MAY
The Tadley Tea Party
returns for their second
year (yes, the first
was a huge success)
in the beautiful
blooming countryside
of North Hampshire
in May. From noon
until midnight, Tea
Party-goers are in for
a marathon 12hrs of
sheer musical bliss
with a festival feeling
that has never been
witnessed in the area
before. It is being

dubbed as the festival
that has something for
everyone, for everyone
that loves festivals!
The organisers have
used traditional festival
favourites and blended
them with modern
technology to bring
you one of the best
festivals around. If
last years efforts are
anything to go by, this
year is going to be a lot
of fun - for everyone!
For tickets, check out
tadleyteaparty.com

Be a

On L

L aafsaver!
Did you
know we
throw away
24 million
slices of
bread every
single day in
the UK?!

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thinking yes you
often throw away bread at
the end of the week and
are wondering what you
can do to help save your
loaf or yummy cakes, try
following our useful tips:

Freeze it

Bread freezes well. If you
know you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always
finish a loaf, put it in the
freezer and take slices
when needed. Plus you

23th-24th JULY Moving to their new home at Dinton Pastures, we are very
excited to tell you that this year, Marvellous Festival takes place on Saturday
23rd and Sunday 24th July with masses of live music across two stages. Acts
already confirmed include tributes to Queen, Adele, Madonna, T Rextasy, AC/
DC, Tina Turner, Johnny Cash, Bruno Mars, Bob Marley, Coldplay, Thin Lizzy,
Johnny Cash, The Rat Pack and Rod Stewart. We also hear a rumour that on
the Saturday, X Factor star and young hearthrob of stage & screen, Ray Quinn
might be completing this years line up! Shhhh. For information and tickets
visit www.marvellousfestivals.com or call the ticket hotline on 0118 977 4350.

36

can always toast from
frozen! Just remember
to bang your bread
gently before freezing, as
this will help the slices
separate more easily for
defrosting! You can also
freeze left over cake in
slices; defrost slice by slice
for a tasty treat.

Bread Bin

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t store bread in the
fridge; it goes stale 6 times
quicker in the fridge! The
best place to store your
bread is in a cool, dark
and dry place, a bread
bin or store cupboard is
perfect.

Best Before date

Most bakery products
have a best before date
â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these dates refer to
quality, so your bakery
products can still be eaten
after this date, but may no

0th JULY
JUL
6th-10th
Henley Festival is a boutique cultural
experience which takes place over five days in
July, celebrating the best of international and
UK music, art, food and comedy. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a place

longer be at their best.
You can use slightly
stale bread to make
breadcrumbs for recipes
or croutons. To freshen
up a day old loaf hold
it briefly under a cold
running tap, give a good
shake and pop in the oven
for 10 minutes, it will be
soft and crusty as freshly
baked bread!

Rememberâ&#x20AC;Ś

If you still find you are
left with food that is
past itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t
be eaten, you can put
it in your green bin for
recycling!
www.
westberks.
gov.uk/
foodwaste

to soak up the atmosphere and be entertained
whilst experiencing a vibrant programme from
pop to world music, classical to jazz, blues to
cutting edge new musicians, where art and
gastronomy share equal billing with music. This
year sees artists such as Elton John and Will
Young take to the stage alongside Elvi Costello
and Shirley Bassey! For a full line up of events
and guests please visit www.henley-festival.
co.uk

facebook.com/villageeyemagazine

@villageeyemag

Save a tasty
£720 per year
1/3

RECYCLING
FOOD WASTE
INTO COMPOST

OF ALL THE FOOD WE BUY
WE THROW AWAY, WHICH
COULD BE RECYCLED!

An average family
throws away

over £60

of edible food
a month.

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF
YOUR FOOD AND SAVE MONEY
FREEZE YOUR FOOD

You can freeze any food right
up to the ‘use by’ date, ideal
if your plans change.

STORE
FOOD

Fruit and veg
lasts longer in the fridge,
in a bag that’s lightly tied.

PLAN YOUR MEALS

Before you shop, check
your cupboards, fridge
and freezer so you know
what you
e.
already have.
Write a list
of what you
need and
stick to it.

Please put your
food waste into
your green bins
so we can turn it
into compost.
Or you could
compost at home
using our reduced
priced bins.

PLEASE USE COMPOSTABLE
LINERS IN YOUR CADDY
Visit: www.biobag-uk.com/westberkshire to
buy liners that are
delivered direct to
your door.

LEFTOVERS

You can add almost
any food to a stir fry.
They’re great for using
up vegetables,
meat, pasta
and other
leftovers.

Mortimer St. John’s CE Infant School
“Growing and Learning together"
Would you like your child to attend a
warm, welcoming school where nurturing
and learning are key to
educating your child?

A school set in the heart of
the village
A well-resourced, bright
learning environment
Creative, fun curriculum
An education based on
Christian principles
Specialist sports and music
coaching

Come and see
the Lambs
being born at
Amners Farm!

Warm, caring staff
We foster a love of learning
Visit us anytime.
Please contact the Headteacher:
Nicola Sumner
0118 933 2242
Our Learning Community is built on
love, hope, trust and friendship which
develops the spark of God in everyone.

Watching a Coen Brothers film is like taking
a lucky dip from a box of Quality Streets,
you’re never quite sure which one you’re
gonna get but more often than not it’s a real
treat. The genre-busting writer directors who
have brought us so many dark and twisted
classics such as Fargo, The Big Lebowski,
O Brother Where Art Thou?, No Country for
Old Men and Inside Llewyn Davis have
really thrown off the shackles in their latest
screwball comedy Hail Caesar! The sibling
auteurs have completely dispensed with
their hallmark cynicism in this wonderful
homage to the Golden Age of Hollywood,
that dazzles and baffles in equal measure.
Set in the early 1950s on the lot of Capital
Pictures Head of Production and ‘Fixer’
Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin) has a big
problem. Hollywood star Baird Whitlock
(George Clooney) has his drink spiked
and is kidnapped whilst on the set of the
studios biblical epic ‘Hail Caesar, A Tale
of the Christ’. He wakes in a bond-like lair
still dressed in his roman fibula, sword and
sandals confronted by his kidnappers,
a mysterious group of beard-stroking,
pipe-smoking communists. However, the
idiotic Baird is blissfully unaware of his plight
and instead finds himself engrossed in
philosophical debate with his new friends.
Whilst fending off the prying press lead
by identical twin gossip columnists Thora
Thacker and Thessaly Thacker (Tilda Swinton)
Mannix sets about trying to retrieve his
leading man. In the midst of the mayhem
he does what he does best, keeping the
machine rolling and his stars clean from
dirty scandal. This is a task easier said than
done when your young starlet DeeAnna
Moran (Scarlett Johansson) is pregnant with
an illegitimate child, and you are forced to
shoehorn singing cowboy Hobie Doyle (Alden
Ehrenreich) into British director Laurence
Laurentz’s (Ralph Fiennes) sophisticated
highbrow drama.

Children's book of the MONTH

First up the plot is utterly ridiculous, and serves
only as an amusing backdrop to the stunning
set-pieces that string it all together captured
beautifully by cinematographer Roger
Deakins. The swimming scenes with Scarlett
Johansson are like a kaleidoscope on water,
and the old fashioned dance numbers led
by Channing Tatum are a joy to behold.
Whilst it could quite easily come across as
a self-indulgent sketch show there is also
an immense amount of fun and affection
in this goofy mix of stupidity and style. Whilst
the dazed and confused Clooney has his
moments, the standout scenes are provided
by the rest of this stellar cast. In particular
Fiennes and Ehrenreich who share a hilarious
scene when the debonair Laurentz gives
his new leading man a completely fruitless
elocution lesson.

It’s impossible not to get caught up in the
technicolour nostalgia of Hail Caesar and
the warm affection that the Coen Brothers
have for its subject matter. This is perfectly
personified through the real star of the
show, Josh Brolin, who inhabits the role of
Mannix with such a swagger, confidence
and humility that you genuinely believe in
the personal dilemmas he grapples with
throughout this comedy caper.
If you’re a fan of classic Hollywood cinema
and like your laughs thrown with a complete
curve ball then you’ll find Hail Caesar just
swell!

Worth a watch 3.5 /5

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

byJK Rowling

Nearly twenty years on, this book is still a firm favourite! This book is filled with adventure and with
every page you turn comes the urge to read on. The story starts with young Harry Potter as a baby
being dropped off at his auntie and uncle’s doorstep after his parents, James and Lily Potter,
were killed by the ultimate villain, Lord Voldemort. As he grows up by the side of his selfish, spoilt
cousin Dudley Dursley, Harry is treated as if he doesn’t exist. He is given the cupboard under the
stairs as his room. At the age of ten Harry receives a letter telling him that he is invited to a magic
school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When Harry turns 11, he is luckily whisked
away from the Dursleys and to Hogwarts, by a mysterious giant of a man, who Harry becomes
good friends with. Harry is taken to Gringotts Bank to collect some money, that his parents left for
him, afterwards he was ready to start school. He made two friends, Hermione Granger and Ron
Weasley, they weren’t always friends in the beginning of school. Together Harry and his friends
take big risks, find an anonymous package, meet a strange dangerous creature, begin to dislike
one of their teachers and become very suspicious of another. Harry Potter The Philosophers Stone
is an amazing book in my opinion, it is action packed and mythical. I would
recommend to read this book.

Pilates?
If you have tried a number of fitness
classes and gym workouts and not
really seen the changes you want,
perhaps you should try Pilates? A
regular Pilates work out is one of the
best ways to change the shape of your
body.

FREE Class!

Wednesday 13th April
Tadley Community Centre
09.30 - 10.30

morning and another early evening,
there should be a time option to suit
most people.

Elizabeth told us, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women especially
tend to focus on cardio exercise only
for fear of becoming bulky. However
building a higher muscle to fat ratio
can actually make you look more
And you can try it for FREE! Local
HSinstructor,
Pilates
for men
& women
toned and increase your metabolic
Pilates
Elizabeth
Williams,
rate which means you will burn more
will be running a free taster session
calories at rest, which means you can
at Tadley Community Centre on
eat more! Yes thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right, long cardio
Wednesday 13th April from 9.30sessions and calorie restriction donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t
10.30am. So why not go along and
work for long term health or weight
see what you think?
loss!â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pilates works on strengthening the
body using the individuals body weight There has also been an increase of
men taking up Pilates,too. They seem
as resistance. It can help to improve
posture, strength and also breathing
which is an essential part of the
practice, along with mobility of joints
and flexibility of muscles. As Pilates
can help to build to maintain muscle
it can also help towards changing the
Regular Mat Pilates Group Classes
overall shape of your body.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

to respond well
ell to the part-by-part
approach to muscular development,
similar to that of resistance training.
The other fantastic thing about Pilates
is that anyone can do it. It isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t high
impact and there is little jarring and
stress placed upon your body.
And if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the class times,
Elizabeth also offers 1-2-1 instruction
or a small group Pilates class which
can be held in your own home.

Elizabeth Williams Pilates

Elizabeth, who is also a Personal
Trainer and Nutritionist, is bringing her
Mat Pilates group classes to Mortimer
and Silchester. Running one in the

Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at 6.00-7.00pm
Silchester Village Hall Club room
Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at 9.30-10.30am
Mortimer Community Hall

www.wholehealthliving.co.uk
liz@wholehealthliving.co.uk

07743 323642

Mortimer

Physiotherapy practice
MUSCLE/TENDON STRAIN?

BACK OR NECK PAIN?

POST OPERATIVE
REHABILITATION?

SPORTS INJURIES?

ESTABLISHED FOR 15 YEARS, YOUR LOCAL PRIVATE
PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC. NOW ACCEPTING NHS REFERRALS
(NHS REFERRALS ACCEPTED FROM WEST BERKSHIRE GPs)

Tel: 0118 933 3896
Text: 07951 840643

www.mortimerphysio.co.uk
info@mortimerphysio.co.uk

* NHS referrals are accepted from all West Berkshire GPs - just ask!

40

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Swim 23

For just ÂŁ23 per month,
you can now swim as
much as you like, and
attend as many waterbased classes as you like
(including Aquazumba
and Aquarobics!) You
can also use your Swim
23 pass at any other
Legacy Leisure Centres*

For further information:

*Swim23 is available for a minimum period of 12 months.
Payment cn be made monthly via Direct Debit. Pass may be
used at all other Legacy Centres for use of pool only (not classes)